The Adoration of the Shepherds 1605 - 1669

"The Adoration of the Shepherds," a drawing on paper by Pietro da Cortona, depicts the biblical scene of shepherds coming to worship the newborn Jesus. The artist uses a loose and gestural style with sweeping lines to create a sense of movement and energy. The central figures are clustered around the Christ child, with the shepherds kneeling in reverence. The composition is full of dramatic light and shadow, and the drawing is a testament to Cortona's mastery of the human figure and his ability to capture the emotion of a religious event.